Word Origin & History

choke c.1200, aphetic of acheken, from O.E. aceocian "to choke" (with intensive a-), probably from base of ceoke "jaw, cheek." Meaning "valve which controls air to a carburetor" first recorded 1926. Choke-cherry (1785) so called for its astringent qualities. Choker "large neckerchief" is from 1848.

Example Sentences for choke down

He brushed his coat sleeve across his eyes, and tried to choke down a sob.

Then, he had need of all his iron nerve to choke down the cry that rose to his lips.

I am not at all sure that I did not have to choke down two or three tears before I could answer mamma.

She was pale and frightened, and she had hard work to choke down the sobs.

She held a bark cup to his lips and made him choke down some nauseating brew.

What could he do but choke down the confessing, redeeming words that were on his lips?

She caught her breath, and clapped her hands to her lips to choke down the wild scream of fear that rose to them.

It was hard to choke down prejudice when this son was bringing home a wife from the Bush, of all places!

Esther flushed visibly at this reception, and had to choke down the first words that came to her lips.

“Watch that stone,” said Grace with a stately calmness, though first she seemed to choke down some obstruction in her throat.